Paul’s Prayer For The Ephesians Ephesians 1:15-20

Paul’s Prayer For Paul’s Prayer For The EphesiansThe Ephesians

Ephesians 1:15-20Ephesians 1:15-20

Richly Blessed In ChristRichly Blessed In ChristVerses 3-14Verses 3-14

Seven Spiritual Blessings NamedSeven Spiritual Blessings Named::

Ephesians 1:4 “He chose us in him Ephesians 1:4 “He chose us in him before the foundation of the world”before the foundation of the world”

Ephesians 1:5 "foreordained us unto Ephesians 1:5 "foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus adoption as sons through Jesus Christ"Christ"

Ephesians 1:6 "his grace, which he Ephesians 1:6 "his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved"freely bestowed on us in the Beloved"

Richly Blessed In ChristRichly Blessed In Christ

Ephesians 1:7 "Redemption through his Ephesians 1:7 "Redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses"trespasses"

Ephesians 1:9 "Making known unto us Ephesians 1:9 "Making known unto us the mystery of his will"the mystery of his will"

Ephesians 1:11 "we were made a Ephesians 1:11 "we were made a heritage"heritage"

Ephesians 1:13 "ye were sealed with the Ephesians 1:13 "ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise"Holy Spirit of promise"

Paul often prays for the Paul often prays for the saintssaints..Philippians 1:9-11Philippians 1:9-11Colossians 1:9-12Colossians 1:9-12

Paul recognizes the faith and Paul recognizes the faith and love of the Ephesianslove of the Ephesians. 1:15-16.. 1:15-16. Heard of your faith. Colossians Heard of your faith. Colossians

1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3,81:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3,8 Heard of your love. John 13:34-35; Heard of your love. John 13:34-35;

Romans 12:9ff; Romans 12:9ff; 1 John 4:201 John 4:20

"Cease not to give thanks for "Cease not to give thanks for you…" Romans 1:8ffyou…" Romans 1:8ff

Impressed with Paul’s love for Impressed with Paul’s love for his brethrenhis brethren..1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:15;

Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; 1 Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:3; Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 4Philemon 4

Paul’s Prayer For The Paul’s Prayer For The EphesiansEphesians

That they might know GodThat they might know God. (1:17). (1:17) More important than human wisdom, More important than human wisdom,

glory or might. cf. Jeremiah 9:23-24glory or might. cf. Jeremiah 9:23-24 Essential to eternal life. John 17:3Essential to eternal life. John 17:3 Failure to know God leads to everlasting Failure to know God leads to everlasting

destruction! 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9destruction! 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 This knowledge comes through close This knowledge comes through close

personal association with God. cf. 2 personal association with God. cf. 2 Timothy 1:12-14Timothy 1:12-14


This knowledge of God This knowledge of God comes by comes by "a Spirit "a Spirit of wisdom and Revelation" (1:17) of wisdom and Revelation" (1:17)

Through study of God’s word. Through study of God’s word. Psalms 119:105, 130 Psalms 119:105, 130 Requires a love of truth. 2 Thessalonians Requires a love of truth. 2 Thessalonians

2:10-122:10-12 Requires diligence. Ephesians 3:3-4; 4:3-6Requires diligence. Ephesians 3:3-4; 4:3-6 Requires putting off, putting on. Ephesians Requires putting off, putting on. Ephesians

4:20ff4:20ff

Paul’s Prayer For The Paul’s Prayer For The EphesiansEphesiansThat they may know That they may know "… His calling." (1:18)"… His calling." (1:18)

Requires that their eyes be open. cf. Acts Requires that their eyes be open. cf. Acts 26:18; Matthew 13:15f26:18; Matthew 13:15f

Called by the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 2:14Called by the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 Called into his own kingdom and glory. Called into his own kingdom and glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:121 Thessalonians 2:12 Called into God’s marvelous light. 1 Peter Called into God’s marvelous light. 1 Peter

2:92:9 Called out of kingdom of darkness into the Called out of kingdom of darkness into the

Kingdom of Christ. Colossians 1:13-14Kingdom of Christ. Colossians 1:13-14


That they may know That they may know ""WHAT IS WHAT IS THE HOPE of His calling." THE HOPE of His calling." (1:18)(1:18)

The word The word "hope" "hope" means "desire means "desire with expectation"with expectation"

What is the expectant desire of What is the expectant desire of this this "calling" "calling" by God?by God?


That they may know That they may know ""WHAT IS THE WHAT IS THE HOPE of His calling." (1:18)HOPE of His calling." (1:18)

Paul has already revealed some of Paul has already revealed some of this hope in verses 4-5this hope in verses 4-5 To be holy and without blemishTo be holy and without blemish To be adopted as sons through Jesus To be adopted as sons through Jesus

ChristChrist Paul will reveal more about it later in Paul will reveal more about it later in

the epistle – cf. Ephesians 2:19-22.the epistle – cf. Ephesians 2:19-22.


That they may know That they may know the the ""riches of the riches of the glory of glory of HisHis inheritance." (1:18) inheritance." (1:18)

God is glorified in His heritage … God is glorified in His heritage … Ephesians 1:11Ephesians 1:11

Saints are counted by God as great Saints are counted by God as great riches or wealth. cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10 riches or wealth. cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Inheritance. "fellow heirs." Inheritance. "fellow heirs." Ephesians 2:12-13Ephesians 2:12-13


That they may know That they may know the the "exceeding "exceeding greatness of His power." (1:19-20; 3:7, greatness of His power." (1:19-20; 3:7, 20) 20)

Paul gives an example in Ephesians 2:1-6Paul gives an example in Ephesians 2:1-6 We who were We who were "dead in trespasses" (2:1-3)"dead in trespasses" (2:1-3)

were were "made alive" (4-5) "made alive" (4-5) and and "raised up" (6)"raised up" (6) Those in Christ we who were spiritually dead Those in Christ we who were spiritually dead

have been made spiritually alive. cf. have been made spiritually alive. cf. Colossians 2:12-13Colossians 2:12-13

Just as God raised Jesus from the dead. Just as God raised Jesus from the dead.

cf. Matthew 9:2-8 cf. Matthew 9:2-8 Divine power Divine power required in both.required in both.


That THEY might knowThat THEY might know:: God.God. The hope of God’s calling.The hope of God’s calling. The riches of God’s inheritance.The riches of God’s inheritance. The power of God.The power of God.

Paul’s Prayer For USPaul’s Prayer For US

That WE might knowThat WE might know:: God.God. The hope of God’s calling.The hope of God’s calling. The riches of God’s inheritance.The riches of God’s inheritance. The power of God.The power of God.

God’s Desire For UsGod’s Desire For Us

That we increase in our That we increase in our understanding, appreciation, and understanding, appreciation, and application of these blessings.application of these blessings.

NOTE: Before growth can occur, NOTE: Before growth can occur, there must be life!there must be life! Have you been Have you been ""made alive together made alive together

with Christwith Christ"?"? Ephesians 2:5-6; Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:12-13Colossians 2:12-13

Have you been Have you been "made alive "made alive together with Christ?" together with Christ?"

Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:12-132:12-13

HearHear the Word. Romans 10:17 the Word. Romans 10:17BelieveBelieve the Gospel. Mark 16:16 the Gospel. Mark 16:16

RepentRepent. Acts 2:38. Acts 2:38

ConfessConfess faith. Acts 8:37 faith. Acts 8:37

Be Baptized.Be Baptized. Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38

Live Faithfully.Live Faithfully. Rev. Rev. 2:102:10

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Paul’s Prayer For The Ephesians Ephesians 1:15-20